Asta Kyiv  00:03

My name is Asta Kyiv. I'm a student at Virginia Commonwealth University. I'm interviewing Karla Ramos from Chesterfield, Virginia. Today is Thursday, March 14 2024. In the time is 12:12pm. This interview is being conducted at Karla's home, near Mechanicsville. Thank you for joining me today, Karla.

 

Karla Ramos  00:26

Thank you. (laughs)

 

Asta Kyiv  00:30

All right, so to start off, can you talk a little bit about where your family's from?

 

Karla Ramos  00:35

Yeah. Um, my mom is from Cali, Colombia. My father is from Chalatenango, El Salvador so central and southern America.

 

Asta Kyiv  00:49

And you were born in America.

 

Karla Ramos  00:51

I was born and raised in Chesterfield County. Been born here, living years since then.

 

Asta Kyiv  01:01

And how was your experience in public schools when you were younger?

 

Karla Ramos  01:05

It was rough. It was rough. Um, I was in ESL for about. I want to say till seventh grade ish. It was an interesting journey for sure. Thankfully, where... I went for public schools was a very diverse place, or diverse schools, um. So I got to see, you know, different cultures, and especially my culture as well and being friends with them. But yeah, I think it was pretty chill a, little difficult sometimes. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  01:48

Were you treated- How were you treated in the ESL program?

 

Karla Ramos  01:52

Equal. Yeah, since it was a pretty smaller class, and we're kind of just there, to learn the same thing, I was treated pretty the same as the other people. It was a fun time, especially being pulled out of classes and doing class activities and everything. So it was making up for what we were missing. And it was very fun.

 

Asta Kyiv  02:15

What about home life?

 

Karla Ramos  02:17

With school, or like-

 

Asta Kyiv  02:19

With your family.

 

Karla Ramos  02:20

Or like at home?

 

Asta Kyiv  02:21

At home.

 

Karla Ramos  02:21

Okay. Um, it was pretty interesting. Um, for the first seven years of my life, I had both of my parents in the same home. And then once I believe I was like, in second grade, or third grade, that's when I, what's it called, my parents got divorced. It was very interesting. I went from having a, you know, two parent home to having one parent home. Um... very interesting. My mom didn't know a lot of English. And that was my, mostly my base language at that time. So I had to learn, um, kind of just something new. It was difficult language barriers, also, you know, living and having separate parents and having that routine. It was it was different for a young girl. I will say. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  03:27

So there was a language barrier between you and your mother?

 

Karla Ramos  03:29

For sure. Yeah, for sure. For sure. For for a few couple of years. We worked through it (laughs) somehow.

 

Asta Kyiv  03:40

Did you feel immersed in your culture growing up?

 

Karla Ramos  03:45

No, not really. Just because I was getting like acustomed, you know, the- the American life is and having you know, American friends and speaking English and seeing what's around me and all these different things. I really didn't have the knowledge to understand what my culture was about, is about, it was interesting. I feel like the older I got, the more I understood like oh, you know, this is this, this is that. But as a younger Karla, no, I didn't. No, no, no.

 

Asta Kyiv  04:35

Do you feel like your friends when you were younger had similar experiences?

 

Karla Ramos  04:40

No, they were all white. (laughs) I will say this, that it was very hard to when I was finally getting adjusted with my culture and understanding my culture and even embracing my culture and food wise and bringing my lunch to school and everything like that. It was very hard because... our food is a little bit different than other people's around the school that I was at the little demographic. So bringing lentils and rice in just like grilled chicken and everything like that every time I opened my Tupperware, they'd be like, "Eww, what is that? Why does it smell like that?" And I would feel very, very insecure. And that's when I kind of like stopped bringing my own food to school and started bringing more of like, grilled cheese and peanut butter and jellies and stuff like that and getting more accustomed to, you know, the American life. And it made me- very feel- it made me feel very insecure about my culture. And... if I could look back, and go back to then and be like, "Karla, don't worry about that. You keep doing your thing." But yeah, that's one thing in my childhood that made me feel very little.

 

Asta Kyiv  05:48

Do you remember how your parents reacted to that insecurity?

 

Karla Ramos  05:51

 Or they never know.

 

Asta Kyiv  05:52

So were you packing your own lunch?

 

Karla Ramos  05:54

Yeah. I told my mom I was like, "Oh, no, no worries. I'll do it." I want to learn how to do things. But I never told them because I know it would feel they would feel very, very bad about that.

 

Asta Kyiv  06:04

I told my mom I was like, oh, no, no worries. I'll do it. I want to learn how to do thing. But I never told them because I know it would feel they would feel very, very bad about that. Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  06:10

Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  06:10

So you... when did you graduate high school?

 

Karla Ramos  06:13

2020. COVID time.

 

Asta Kyiv  06:15

 And did you, um, plan on going to college?

 

Karla Ramos  06:18

Yeah, that was my main focus. I was like, I'm going to college. I want to go and study psychology. I did my first year at Sergeant Reynolds. And then I just... just didn't go back.

 

Asta Kyiv  06:37

Do you plan on going back?

 

Karla Ramos  06:38

Yeah. We're looking at it for this year. I'm gonna study.

 

Asta Kyiv  06:42

Have any of your family members gone to college?

 

Karla Ramos  06:45

No family members, like my parents are like anybody in the family?

 

Asta Kyiv  06:49

Anybody.

 

Karla Ramos  06:49

Yeah. My aunt which is my mom's sister. She went to Howard. My other aunt, my dad's sister. She's at Liberty right now. Finishing up her... her nursing. She went for college, a different community college for her nurse things back in the days, but now she's finishing up her others. At Liberty right now. Yeah, I have some few people's cousins, aunts that are graduated. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  07:26

What about your parents specifically?

 

Karla Ramos  07:28

No. No, no, no, no, no. They just have full time businesses, their own businesses. So it's cool.

 

Asta Kyiv  07:35

What businesses do they run?

 

Karla Ramos  07:37

My mom has her own house cleaning company. And then my father has his own Soccer Academy, here in Richmond. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  07:47

How old were they when they immigrated to the United States?

 

Karla Ramos  07:51

My father. I want to say he graduated- or migrated when he was 15 or 16. He went to Meadowbrook High School and graduated from Meadowbrook. My mom, I want to say she was 19 or 20 when she came from Colombia to here. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  08:14

How did your parents meet?

 

Karla Ramos  08:18

You know, I still don't know till this day.

 

Asta Kyiv  08:20

Really?

 

Karla Ramos  08:20

I always hear different stories. But I think that's a topic that my mom really doesn't like to bring up or talk about. So she just kind of leaves it alone. And we're like, okay, cool.

 

Asta Kyiv  08:29

But your father went to high school in America?

 

Karla Ramos  08:31

Yeah. (inaudible)  For sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  08:37

Did you were you raised with religion in your household?

 

Karla Ramos  08:40

I was. I was. That one is a very funny story. Well, it's not really funny. It's kind of sad. But, um, my mom is Catholic. My father is Baptist. My mom really wanted me as to become Catholic and, you know, learn about...

 

Asta Kyiv  09:05

Catholicism.

 

Karla Ramos  09:05

Yeah. Um. But, and she really wanted me to get baptized. I was a child that grew up with God knew what God is knew what the Bible is all about everything like that. And mom really wanted to baptize me. And she my father was like, No, I don't want her to be Catholic. I want her to be Baptist. I have an aunt who's a pastor in Midlothian. And my father was like, if you really want to baptise her, you have to do it through my aunt was like, fine. If that's what we have to do. We have to do it. So I got a little bit both religions when I was growing up, which was very interesting. So yeah, to answer your question, yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  09:58

So did you spend a lot of time in the Baptist Church?

 

Karla Ramos  10:02

Yes, a lot. Majority of my life.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:06

Were there a lot of other Latinos there?

 

Karla Ramos  10:08

Oh, yeah. Yeah, that was my family's church. So a lot of my aunts and uncles and cousins were there. And then other people from the community as well.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:21

What about your mother's church?

 

Karla Ramos  10:25

Yeah, it was Latina base, too.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:28

Did you go to both?

 

Karla Ramos  10:29

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. No, it'd be two services on a Sunday. And we wouldn't be getting back home until 7pm. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:40

Was it just you going between both parents? Or would they go together as well?

 

Karla Ramos  10:44

This was a time when my mom was separated.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:46

Okay.

 

Karla Ramos  10:47

So it was just me and my mom. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  10:51

Were you involved with the church community at all?

 

Karla Ramos  10:53

I was. I was I was in choir. I was also doing youth groups and everything like that. So I was very hands on with the church.

 

Asta Kyiv  11:05

Could you elaborate a little more on that? Like what you did?

 

Karla Ramos  11:08

Oh, um, church choir, kind of just like doing performances during big, you know, events. It would be Easter or other church events that I still don't know totally, sorry... Um, youth groups, kind of just attending the older I got, I was, you know, helping around childcare. Taking care, you know, giving lessons and stuff like that.

 

Asta Kyiv  11:36

And most of the other people there were also Latina?

 

Karla Ramos  11:38

 Yeah, kids mostly.

 

Asta Kyiv  11:41

Are you still religious?

 

Karla Ramos  11:42

I am. I am. I'm still practicing still learning.

 

Asta Kyiv  11:50

Do you go to church?

 

Karla Ramos  11:51

I do. Well, searching for a church. Destiny and I have been going every Sunday to different churches and trying to find the church for us.

 

Asta Kyiv  12:01

Is there any like specific thing you're looking for? In a church?

 

Karla Ramos  12:05

Yeah. Um. Just a really good community. Not I feel like a lot of churches here in Richmond are giving very mega church. And they're just like, "Alright, services in services out, let's go." And then no one really talks to each other. No one knows who just came in for the first time or who's- you know, what's going on? So it's like, I feel like that's a huge main thing. When it comes to churches, at least getting to know each other. And who's around you not just "Alright, in and out, clock in clock out" type of thing. Church is a home for people. I feel like you should know who are the people around you. So that is one of my main things.

 

Asta Kyiv  12:54

Have you heard of Sacred Heart?

 

Karla Ramos  12:56

I have my family goes there a lot. Yeah. My grandfather whenever he's in the country and not in Colombia, he usually goes to take her heart. Spanish service, I've gone to a few of the services. It's not bad. Again, I just don't know a lot of the religion. But I have, I have. Yeah, I mean, Hispanics spot right there. (laughs) It is a huge Hispanic spot. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  13:30

You mentioned a little bit about how old your parents were when they came over. Could you talk a little bit about how they came to America, specifically Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  13:40

 I don't know fully the story. But I'm assuming like on a plane (laughs)... got here. Um, I will say that during the time my mom came, the whole Pablo Escobar thing was going on in Colombia. And my grandmother was very worried about the girls safeties, which is my aunt and my mom. So I'm assuming they had a visa already. And they kind of just took advantage of the visa stayed here. They first got to Virginia Beach, that sort of my aunt was at the moment. She stayed with my aunt, and then they all kind of moved into Richmond. But I'm assuming that she used the visa, and then (inaudible) My father. I don't know. That's a great question. I actually don't know I'm assuming. He flew into... my family. My aunt and my grandmother were already in California when he came over, because that's where my grandmother was, at the time with my grandfather, before he passed away. And then they had my aunt there. So I don't know. I guess he traveled from El Salvador to California.

 

Asta Kyiv  15:05

So he went to California and then he came to Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  15:08

I believe so. I don't think I've asked my parents that type of question. Now I should. Now I should ask them.

 

Asta Kyiv  15:17

But you were born in Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  15:19

I was born in Virginia.

 

Asta Kyiv  15:20

Okay. Do you have any family members still in? Either your mother or father's country?

 

Karla Ramos  15:27

Oh, a lot. on my mom's side. My father's side. They're all here. In the US. I probably have like, a few family members that I can count on my fingers in El Salvador. But majority of my mom family's over there. Yeah. My grandmother, my grandfather, come every year. My aunt lives here. My mom's, on my mom's side. But other than that...

 

Asta Kyiv  15:55

Are you in contact with your mother's family members?

 

Karla Ramos  15:58

Oh, yeah. Always, always, always. Always. I try to be as present in their lives. Although I'm not there every day. But checking up sending messages, small little things. For sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  16:12

Would you consider yourself close with them?

 

Karla Ramos  16:15

Yeah. I consider myself close equally with both of my families.Yeah. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  16:25

Have you ever been to either Colombia or El Salvador to visit your families?

 

Karla Ramos  16:30

Yeah, yeah, both actually. Thankfully. I can say that now. Because usually, I would just say I've only been to Colombia, but I finally went to El Salvador. For the first time, but two months ago. It was a nice experience, beautiful experience. In Colombia. I usually go about every year, every other year. Yeah, I go for when I go to Colombia, I go for a month. Just so I can, you know, be with family and also adjust with the culture and also learn and, you know, kind of discover as well. For Columbia? I always go for December. Always, always, always tickets are expensive to fly over there. But it's still worth it. Once you arrive. Everyone's just in festival time. Everyone's happy. Everyone's not working. And it's a really beautiful thing seeing a different culture than what you see over here in the US for sure. And for El Salvador, I haven't really traveled too much to tell you when but I've traveled to January. No, it's fine. Great weather. Chill.

 

Asta Kyiv  17:45

What festival is happening in Colombia when you go there?

 

Karla Ramos  17:48

It's a little bit of everything. So in Colombia, they have Como Ferias. So like, like festivals type of things. And during the Ferias, it's like, I believe it's after Christmas when they're doing all the little festivals to get to the new year. So it'll be fun. Feria de Flores, it will be just a little parade with flowers, natural flowers, Feria del Salsa, Feria de everything and it's just kind of designated for its each thing. And they go from 10am to like 11pm. And it's just an amazing time. It's really, really gorgeous. It's a time where the whole family can come together. And just sit there, eat, drink, chat, whatever it is.

 

Asta Kyiv  18:39

That sounds very fun.

 

Karla Ramos  18:40

That's a very fun time. It's a very, it's a very fun time for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  18:46

And how long have you been taking trips to Colombia?

 

Karla Ramos  18:50

Since I was eighteen. After I graduated My mom was like, "You know, before you go into school and me before you do anything else, I want you to go visit your family." Funny story, traveled by myself for the first time ever, outside of the country to go to Colombia. It was very scary, like, type of scary adventure to do. But it was very fun. And ever since 18, I have been kind of doing it all by myself or myself, but I've been doing it very frequently.

 

Asta Kyiv  19:25

Do you feel more connected to your culture? When you go there.

 

Karla Ramos  19:27

For sure? Ah, for sure. I tell everyone. And yeah, I literally tell everyone to visit Columbia as much, if you really want to be part of the culture or learn more of the Hispanic culture. Go to a place that's very happy. But also a country that is very... wide. Because you can get you know city from Bogota or you can get like The Blue beaches, which is San Andreas, and then you can also get forest and you know, greenery and everything. If you go to Melodien, and Toquia and all these other different places, it's a very gorgeous place, and I feel very connected over there when it comes to the language, the culture, the food, the music and everything. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  20:26

And you have a little sister as well?

 

Karla Ramos  20:28

Yeah, I do have a little sister. She is eight. She just turned eight about last week. But she lives in El Salvador.

 

Asta Kyiv  20:34

Oh, okay. So she lives with your father?

 

Karla Ramos  20:37

She's no, my father lives here.

 

Asta Kyiv  20:39

Okay.

 

Karla Ramos  20:39

 Um, she lives with her mom in El Salvador. Yeah, that's what she does.

 

Asta Kyiv  20:47

So does she spend- she lived exclusively in El Salvador? Or does she come to America to visit?

 

Karla Ramos  20:53

So she comes about for two months to America, from El Salvador, which is around November to December, that time and then- November to early January. And she stays with my dad, and his wife and (inaudaible) we're kinda scattered all over the place.

 

Asta Kyiv  21:22

So your father and your mother both live in Virginia, around Richmond area? Are you close with them?

 

Karla Ramos  21:31

I Am. I Am. I Am. I Am. Yeah. Dealing with every parent and child there will be ups and downs. But I am very close to them. And I love them dearly.

 

Asta Kyiv  21:42

What about your extended family? Because you mentioned having some in the United States.

 

Karla Ramos  21:47

Yeah. Majority of my dad's family's here. And my close to them. Yes. Mom's side and we'll have an aunt a few like to aunts here. And it's,it's nice. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  22:01

And what do your aunts do?

 

Karla Ramos  22:03

My aunt is a dentist, which is my mom's side. My other aunts? She's a nurse. Then yeah, my dad's a coach, and also owner of Soccer Academy. Mom is a house cleaning. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  22:24

You've also mentioned one of your aunts is a Preacher?

 

Karla Ramos  22:27

Oh, yeah. There's a lot of aunts on my dad's side. Yeah, she's also a pastor.

 

Asta Kyiv  22:34

 Okay.

 

Karla Ramos  22:35

Yep, yep, yep.

 

Asta Kyiv  22:37

And were they around when you were growing up?

 

Karla Ramos  22:39

Oh, yeah. They were very present. They still are till this day. But the older you get, the more, like, busier you get. And you don't really see them. So yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  22:51

Do you feel like they were helpful at all? In like making you feel connected to your culture?

 

Karla Ramos  23:00

Some. Yeah. Yeah. Um, yeah. I will say my mom's aunt really tried. Or my mom's sister, my mom sister really tried to get me into the culture buy me little things. And this is what this is about. And this is what you should know about. And I really do appreciate her about that. Because seven year old Karla did not know what was going on. Um, but now that I look back at the pictures, it's just me with the classic Colombian sombrero and there's little bags that I still carry till this day. And it's like, I love them. And I do appreciate my aunt. Having that culture alive in my soul.

 

Asta Kyiv  23:51

Do you feel like the Latino community has changed at all? Since you were a kid to know in Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  23:56

 Yes. Yes, very much. I was actually thinking about this the other day. I feel like the Latino culture has changed a lot and we're embracing it a little bit more because of our music. I was really like, like any any regular person scrolls on their phone on any type of social media. It's it's, it's it's different to see different cultures embracing the Hispanic music, Latino music, which you know, can go from regaton to salsa to bachata and all these different things. A couple months ago, I went to a bachata event here in Richmond for Halloween and it was just different, you know, cultures in one building dancing to, you know, Hispanic type of things and I'm just like, wow, this is crazy. But I do say that the the culture has changed just a lot because of that, and it's being more exposed. For sure. And our countries are being visited more as well. Throughout the years that come in, yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  25:14

So you would say the changes are for the better?

 

Karla Ramos  25:16

The changes way- yeah, way way way for the better. I hope it stays like that too.

 

Asta Kyiv  25:22

Bachata is fun

 

Karla Ramos  25:23

Huh?

 

Asta Kyiv  25:23

Bachata is fun.

 

Karla Ramos  25:24

Bachata is fun! It is! (laughs) You see? It's a fun thing. Even, you know, if people can enjoy that and love that as well, like thats... It makes us happy. (laughs) For sure. 

 

Asta Kyiv  25:38

What's been your, like, personal experience with the Latino community in Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  25:43

It's rough. It's, um, it's, it's easy, sometimes. But it's a little bit rough. There are some times those like, people that are just like, oh, you know, she solidor And she's Colombian Be careful. Why they always have a stereotype of us. I don't know why.

 

Asta Kyiv  26:07

Other members of the-

 

Karla Ramos  26:08

Other members of different cul- uh, countries usually have that. There's a lot of groupies, there's a lot of cliques, I will say,that happens here, in... just... Virginia. But you know, there's some that are just like, very welcoming as well. It's a very different vibe that you get. Yeah, yeah. But other than that, I would say it's easier. Yeah...

 

Asta Kyiv  26:44

 Today than it was?

 

Karla Ramos  26:45

 Yeah, today than it was.

 

Asta Kyiv  26:47

What about your experiences with people outside of the Latino community?

 

Karla Ramos  26:52

Like what?

 

Asta Kyiv  26:54

Like, be around non Latino people growing up and just living around them?

 

Karla Ramos  27:00

It was interesting as well. It's a nice. How can I say this? It's like, it's nice to see how different cultures blend. And how we can either relate to some things or not really, or we can learn from each other. It's a very beautiful thing. And I think it's a very... Yeah, it's just a beautiful thing to do or to to experience. And nothing had like nothing negative with it. But seeing how different cultures work. It's really cool.

 

Asta Kyiv  27:51

But you've had some negative experiences with like non Latino people?

 

Karla Ramos  27:56

Oh, yeah, for sure. During high school, or during middle school times, I had a lot of during middle school and high school times, I had a lot of times that it was like, oh, stereotypical things like I at Godwin there was this one time, where I wanted to, what what's it called? Put my mom's like business on the yearbook or something like that. And then somebody was like, oh, Karla, does your mom run a Mexican restaurant or something like that very racial. And I was like, Oh, okay. No, but thank you. Like, what? There was some times for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  28:40

You went to Godwin high school.

 

Karla Ramos  28:41

I went to Godwin for my first year and then I went to Henrico for my-

 

Asta Kyiv  28:45

Okay.

 

Karla Ramos  28:46

Last years.

 

Asta Kyiv  28:48

How diverse were those schools like individually? Was one more diverse than the other?

 

Karla Ramos  28:53

Yeah. Yeah. Henrico had their IB they had their center. They also had their zone. I was part of zone. And I thought it was very cool.

 

Asta Kyiv  29:08

And Henrico was the more diverse school?

 

Karla Ramos  29:10

Yeah. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  29:13

You also mentioned earlier like about how you feel like Latin music has helped connect non Latino people like to Latin culture. Do you personally feel like music connects you better to your culture?

 

Karla Ramos  29:27

Mm mhm. For sure. Hearing the old songs that my mom would play the old songs that my dad would play. There are two different genres when it comes to my family's music. My mom was more of like, Hispanic rock and then my dad would be like more Hispanic reggaeton. So every time I retouched his songs, it's like... Ah, my, my little culture. Also, listening to like typical Colombian music. Vallenato, salsa, a little bit of that makes me feel like I'm in Colombia as well. It makes me like, okay. I'll never forget that part ever in my life, but really listening to that it takes me back to where I was at that moment with these type of musics.

 

Asta Kyiv  30:21

Do you feel like you ever see yourself represented in media?

 

Karla Ramos  30:28

In what way?

 

Asta Kyiv  30:30

Like, do you see Colombian woman in TV shows or in movies?

 

Karla Ramos  30:34

Ish, ish, if I feel like if I see a Spanish speaking actor or actress on the big screen, it doesn't have to be Colombia or from Salvador or anywhere. Just any Spanish speaking I feel very represented. Yeah, I feel very seen. I'm just like, Wow. "He's one of ours" (laughs) He's one of ours! That's crazy. It's very nice. Especially during the Barbie movie. I was like, America... she's like, uh-

 

Asta Kyiv  31:17

 America Ferrara?

 

Karla Ramos  31:18

 America Ferrara. She's, I think she's Puerto Rican descent. And I'm just like, you know, I'm a Puerto Rican. Or if she's. But it's just like, a Spanish speaking person.

 

Asta Kyiv  31:32

Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  31:32

You know, it's incredible. Amazing. Yeah. So seeing that even in the big screens or just TV shows like, Sofia Vergara with Gloria, um, or whatever the series is called.

 

Asta Kyiv  31:49

Modern Family.

 

Karla Ramos  31:50

Modern Family as well. But she just came out with a new series on Netflix.

 

Asta Kyiv  31:53

Yes, she did.

 

Karla Ramos  31:53

 It's Gloria? Or something like that, but it's nice to see that it's just like, oh, whoa. My peoples

 

Asta Kyiv  32:08

What is the biggest obstacle- obstacle, like, that you and or your family has faced being in Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  32:13

I mean, it can be isolating. Like, I've had to grab you to translate for customers.

 

Asta Kyiv  32:21

Yeah. Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  32:21

Oof. Um. I feel like a lot, not for me. But I see to my grandparents, the language. It was one day that I was at work. And I got a call from my grandfather. I was like, "Hey, 'buelo, I'm at work? What's up?" This is all in Spanish by the way. I'm just translating in English. And he was like, "Hey, I'm at Cracker Barrel, and I want to order but she's not understanding me. So I want you to say it to her." And I know this order by heart. So I'm like, he passes me the phone to her. (laughs) He passes me on the phone to her and he's like, she's like, "Yeah I'm trying to get his order. I really don't understand." I was like, "Yeah, it's gonna be this, this, it's this." And then he passes, he gets to phone again. And he's like, "Thank you. Like, I would have not know how to say this." And I'm like, this is- this is "Oh, my heart." Also my grandmother as well, when she's looking for something at the store at Hobby Lobby or whatever craft store that she's in. It's like she's trying to find a specific material for like sewing or something. And she can't really find it. So it's like, she always has to have either me, or my mom, or my aunt with her. So she could do that language, translation type of thing. Yeah, I think that's a huge thing that my family and I see as well. One of our obstacles.Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  33:58

Do you feel like your family has found resources within the Latino community to help you guys deal with certain challenges you faced in America?

 

Karla Ramos  34:07

Oh, for sure. For sure. Um, yeah. You know, there's a lot of help around the areas for that type of stuff. When it comes to language, there's a lot of, you know, events or group activities or anything like that with you know, learning English or stuff. Yeah, there is some help a little bit of everywhere.

 

Asta Kyiv  34:39

 Do you know any like specific organizations they've used?

 

Karla Ramos  34:42

Um, off the top of my head. A lot of churches that we used to attend would have English classes. I know Sacred Heart used to have really good English. Yeah, there you go. Um, a few other places too, but from the top of my head, rarely. I know, libraries as well, that's where my mom used to go sometimes to. Yeah. And then, yeah, yeah, yeah, mostly those are the sources that I know from the top of my head. Um, my mom got her GED at like a program down in Staples Mill? I don't know, off the top of my head what it was. But yeah, there's a lot of sources out here for non speaking English people, not just Hispanics to use, for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  35:43

Do you know how they found those resources?

 

Karla Ramos  35:46

I'm assuming from other sources, like other people that they know. Or there's, there's a Latino radio station where this woman goes on every single day, I think in the mornings and the evenings, and she makes announcements on there. And it's like telling Hispanics where to find these resources, where to call in where the address the address is. My grandfather loves that station so much to get his information. And he would always tell my mom, like, "Hey, you know, the lady on the radio station said that there's going to be this English event. If you want to learn English, here's the address. Here's the number." Type of thing also, I think, Sac- or Sacred Heart has pamphlets during their services. And they also leave businesses like on the back of their pages during their services. I think that's where it's from. I see it in my head, but I don't remember if it's from there or not. But I know there was a paper pamphlet from a church service that gives businesses on the back and also events going on.

 

Asta Kyiv  37:03

It's very helpful.

 

Karla Ramos  37:03

 Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  37:06

So where do you work currently?

 

Karla Ramos  37:10

The Continental on Manchester, or in Manchester.

 

Asta Kyiv  37:14

 What do you do there?

 

Karla Ramos  37:16

 I'm a server. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  37:18

How has that been for you?

 

Karla Ramos  37:21

It's been fun. It's been fun. I've been here, or I've been there for about two years. So that's just a lot. You look at my resume. I don't really stay at places for more than seven months. But I've been here for two years. And I have loved it. I have seen the community grow. And change for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  37:44

How about the Latino community specifically at work?

 

Karla Ramos  37:53

It's there, it'll have, it'll be like 15% of the time. We'll be there. And then the rest is just like... regular Americans. But it's, it's there. I feel like we get a lot of like, Door Dashers that are Hispanic, it is really cool to be like, oh, you know, I'll help them out in Spanish. And have a conversation with them. But it's sometimes there. I will have some tables here and there that are Spanish speakers. And they appreciate it when you do switch the language over. Because they're just like, Alright, cool. I can understand what's going on.

 

Asta Kyiv  38:39

What about, the- your coworkers?

 

Karla Ramos  38:43

What about? There's no Hispanics there. (laughs) Except, I mean, Tara, only speak Spanish. But-

 

Asta Kyiv  38:53

What about other-

 

Karla Ramos  38:53

Oh, the people in the back! I thought you were talking about front of house. Sorry. No, no. Yeah. back of house. Yeah, yeah. I love them. They're so sweet. They range from different ages, for sure. Morning, people are a little bit more adult, but during the evening. The younger folks are there and I love it. Again, with the language barriers, sometimes they don't know how to translate your say some things. When it doesn't come to their regular routine of like, my regular words, like "on the side" or "cheese" or something that they usually see frequently in the kitchen. And they're trying to communicate with somebody else in the back that is like, isn't, what is on their programed language for work. So it's fun to help as well. And also communicate and see what their life is all about to. Yeah, I love them. They're the sweetest, morning and evening people and I'm very thankful and honored to actually have people like them around me.

 

Asta Kyiv  40:06

So you feel like you've been able to help them?

 

Karla Ramos  40:08

Oh, for sure. And they've have helped me too. So much, too. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah

 

Asta Kyiv  40:16

What about any other jobs? You've had?

 

Karla Ramos  40:21

They, Yeah, I mean, I've hopped around here and there. I've had some jobs that I've had only straight Spanish speakers, which was very cool. That was also in the food industry. And most definitely built up my Spanish. And the other places, it's just been English speakers. So it was cool to be now somewhere settled that I can use both of my language and also help you know, English speakers that need Spanish speakers, or Spanish speakers. I need English speakers as well. So it's cool to help on both sides.

 

Asta Kyiv  41:04

You've definitely been a resource. Where have you worked, where it's been, like, only Spanish speakers?

 

Karla Ramos  41:15

It's a Venezuelan spot called Chamos, down in Hull Street. Um, it was just straight Spanish speakers, owners, kitchen customers, is a very interesting time. As again, my Spanish wasn't as strong as it is now. So it was very hard to also communicate with other people that I was just like, oh, how can I say this to you? Without sounding like a "no sabos" kid. (laughs) Yeah, that was very cool. It was also very interesting to experience.

 

Asta Kyiv  41:53

Is that something you're insecure about?

 

Karla Ramos  41:56

 My Spanish? Or the "no sabos" kid?

 

Asta Kyiv  41:58

 Yeah, being perceived that way.

 

Karla Ramos  42:00

 Ah, sometimes, I feel like my Spanish has built up a little bit better than how I was before. I had an ex tell me that I sound like a "no sobos" kid. And I was very offended. And I was about to curse him out. Because I was like, first of all, you're fluent in Spanish. That's why you can say that to me. But compared to other people around here, let's relax now. But as jokes, but I would say yes, but again, not really. Just because I know, I'm not a fluent Spanish speaker. And I wasn't born in Colombia or in El Salvador. So you know, it'll have this moment, but I'm strong with how my language sounds. And as long as I feel like if you can understand me, or if you can correct me and I can change that feeling, that's good.

 

Asta Kyiv  42:54

But you're still put through ESL?

 

Karla Ramos  42:57

 Yes. Yes, ESL is a year round thing. I didn't have a summer. My summer was ESL. So I have had friends who have a stronger... just like, English? I don't know I... And just like, they're, like, smarter with their English and more wise, and I'm like, Oh, you were in ESL to what happened to me? Type of thing. Yeah, I don't know. Also, cramming two languages in my head is very hard. There'll be some, like, my words will get tangled up. And I don't know if I'm trying to speak Spanish, or if I'm trying to speak English, or I'm trying to speak both. And sometimes my grammar and my English is not the best. And I tell everyone that. And I feel like that's what holds me back from doing a lot of things. Because I feel like my English isn't strong enough. And sometimes people are just like, "That's not how you say it." Or, "You said the wrong thing," or "That's not that's not a word." And I'm like, Okay, well, you try putting two languages in your head. It's sometimes hard.

 

Asta Kyiv  44:10

So do you also feel embarrassed about your English sometimes?

 

Karla Ramos  44:13

 Oh, for sure. For sure. Oh, yeah. And I feel like being a server and talking to people every single day is nice. I feel like it helps me strengthen my English but at the same time, I'm just like, that doesn't sound right. You know, I have books upstairs in my room about grammar and how to like build your English and all these other things. And I'm like, what is going on? What's going on? I thought I was speaking English right. But no, it's an interesting thing for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  44:55

Do you think ESL weakened your Spanish?

 

Karla Ramos  44:58

ESL got rid of my Spanish. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  45:03

 Do you have resentment about that?

 

Karla Ramos  45:06

No. Not really because it made me relearn it and strengthen it the way that I wanted to strengthen it. And that was by, you know, communicating with my grandmother when she first got here. And I didn't know any of the language, which made me get into Spanish and Spanish I, and Spanish II and Spanish III, and also strengthening my writing because I could not write in Spanish. I cannot write in Spanish. So letting Karla learn how she wanted to learn is the way that I'm happy that I, I did it. It was just, yeah. It was sad, but also rejuvenating to learn again.

 

Asta Kyiv  45:54

So you don't disagree with the way that you were taught English?

 

Karla Ramos  45:58

No. No. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  46:11

All right, we're gonna do kind of a 180. I'm going to ask you some questions about the pandemic.

 

Karla Ramos  46:18

Okay. Woah.

 

Asta Kyiv  46:19

Where were you living when the pandemic started?

 

Karla Ramos  46:21

I was living with my mom. And my stepdad in the house.

 

Asta Kyiv  46:28

How did you guys first learn about it?

 

Karla Ramos  46:31

The COVID

 

Asta Kyiv  46:32

Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  46:36

Tik Tok. (laughs)

 

Asta Kyiv  46:39

And you guys, were living like outside of Richmond, right. Like in the Richmond area?

 

Karla Ramos  46:43

 We're living just down the street.

 

Asta Kyiv  46:44

Oh okay.

 

Karla Ramos  46:45

Yeah, yeah, yeah. My mom's house is not far from here. So we, well, no. I learned about it from Tik Tok. We all learned about it from the news. I was just gonna be, I was keeping up with it. Because we were at school. And then when we heard about the the whole two week thing, yeah, I was kind of just keeping up with what was going on outside of the US, and how I got into the US and everything like that through Tik Tok. It was just one dude, that was just reporting him. That was cute. Um, I knew that it was going to spread. I was like, this is not going to be good. You know, two weeks is cool. But this is not going to be good. Like, I kind of already saw that all of the senior festivities and all that was going to be canceled. So I was just like, mentally preparing myself for it. And I was like, okay,vthen the lockdown came. And I was like, This is insane. Yeah, for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  47:39

And so your mother and your father both own very physical businesses. So how did they deal with the stay at home orders and having to not be able to go to work?

 

Karla Ramos  47:53

It was interesting. Because I, during this time, I wasn't really communicating with my father. So I really can't tell you what my father was going through when it was COVID time. But seeing my mom being a full time, workaholic, going to work from 7am, to coming back at 7pm. And also going out to work again. It was a very challenging thing to see her go from being on her feet every single hour to being like, what do I do with myself? Where am I going? I've done everything in the house that I needed to do what is going on? I on the other hand, was just like, you can always do this, or you can do that. Or this or that is interesting to see for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  48:39

Was your mother able to keep her business running during COVID?

 

Karla Ramos  48:43

No, no, not at all. I mean, everyone was just lock down. They really didn't want anything. So it was just like, she was just chilling.

 

Asta Kyiv  48:56

How did that affect your family financially?

 

Karla Ramos  48:58

I don't think it affected us as much.Yeah, yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  49:04

Even with her not being able to work?

 

Karla Ramos  49:06

Yeah. I don't remember any type of struggles that we're going through then. We had food and water and everything under the house bills were paid, thankfully.

 

Asta Kyiv  49:20

How soon was she able to go back to work?

 

Karla Ramos  49:23

When everything was calming down. I want to say this was like, Ju- no. July-ish, when things were kind of calming down?

 

Asta Kyiv  49:33

July 2020.

 

Karla Ramos  49:34

 July of 2020. She started going back full time towards the end of the year. I remember that. Just being very much cautious having about one house of away a day instead of having to so she wouldn't transfer too much. Germs or anything with clothes and equipment, everything so she was taking- she was very cautious. I will say that even coming into the house. She would spray everything down, get in the shower immediately. She was very, very cautious with what hurt with her services to her clients and providing just careful health all around.

 

Asta Kyiv  50:14

And so it was just the three of you in that house?

 

Karla Ramos  50:18

The three of us at that time. Yep.

 

Asta Kyiv  50:22

How did you pass your time?

 

Karla Ramos  50:23

Oh, gosh. I would probably just like sleep, workout. Go outside, do something. Read. Things like that. And I wonder COVID was kind of coming down as well. I started a little Depop page, started doing that, just to get some money out of that. It was chill. I was just trying to adjust myself and then I was going to school that fall as well. So getting into that as well. That's interesting.

 

Asta Kyiv  51:05

Did you have family members who were more severely impacted?

 

Karla Ramos  51:08

Oh, yeah, for sure. I had family members pass away by COVID. We had friends and family that also had COVID A lot. We didn't get COVID until January 2022. No, 2022 was who was what, two years ago? Yeah, January 2022. Woah, yeah. I was in Colombia. When I got COVID It was horrible. It was so bad. But yeah, thankfully, we didn't have it here. My family. There was some family that did have it.

 

Asta Kyiv  51:50

Were you vaccinated?

 

Karla Ramos  51:51

Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  51:52

What about your extended family and your immediate family as well?

 

Karla Ramos  51:58

 I made sure I was like, we're all getting vaccinated. Let's go. I have Pfizer so does the family as well. It was more accessible here than Columbia. Yeah. So my grandparents most definitely got that done. For sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  52:15

Could you tell me a little bit more about your family members who were more severely impacted?

 

Karla Ramos  52:20

I wish I could, but I don't really- am- close with them, about it. It was just I was reading it off of Facebook. Yeah. I wish I could know a little bit more but.

 

Asta Kyiv  52:35

How do you think COVID affected the Latino community like on a greater scale in Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  52:43

I'm not sure. I'm not sure on that one. I wish I could tell you but I don't know.

 

Asta Kyiv  52:53

Do you know of many Latinos who got vaccinated? Like in your own community?

 

Karla Ramos  53:03

Maybe? Maybe I know that a lot of my family members didn't know what my dad did my whole big side of my dad's side of the family as well did. It was chill. But from what I know. Yeah, a good little handful, but from outside there. No, not really.

 

Asta Kyiv  53:28

Okay, now we're moving into the final section. Do you feel like you belong in Richmond?

 

Karla Ramos  53:36

No.

 

Asta Kyiv  53:38

You don't?

 

Karla Ramos  53:38

I don't. (laughs) I feel like I have been placed here. But I don't feel like I belong here. I feel like there's so much... why is that? There's not really much of... an opportunity. Now. No, no, no. I don't know how to answer this one, in my head is like there's so many things going on. Let's listen... When I visit Colombia. I admire... and I cry every single time that I leave because of the different energy that is there. And I feel like in Virginia, it does not provide that at all. Virginia is such a very closed off state. It's not walkable you barely know your neighbors you are very, it's a very quiet state. And when you go to a different country, it's more vibrant. And everyone's saying hi to you, you're, you know, who's around you, you know, who's up the block and who owns this business, and you've spoken to everybody there. And, you know, different cultures are in this state. And I feel like... I want Virginia to be like Colombia.

 

Asta Kyiv  55:29

Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  55:31

And it's hard. It's kind of asking like, Oh, these are different countries. These are different cultures coming into a different, you know. But I would love to be in a place where... what is it you live to work? What is it like when you just...

 

Asta Kyiv  55:49

You live to work?

 

Karla Ramos  55:52

That's here.

 

Asta Kyiv  55:53

You work to live?

 

Karla Ramos  55:54

 You work to live... No, the other way around.

 

Asta Kyiv  56:00

You live to work or you work?

 

Karla Ramos  56:02

I forgot the term... Yeah. I just don't want to work all the time. If that makes any sense. I want to be more present. And more and more.

 

Asta Kyiv  56:13

Do you feel like you wouldn't have to work as much in Colombia?

 

Karla Ramos  56:15

No, it's not that. No, I would have to work in Colombia. I would have to work anywhere.

 

Asta Kyiv  56:19

Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  56:20

But also prioritizing other things that isn't just work and stuff like that.

 

Asta Kyiv  56:25

So you feel like Americans prioritize work?

 

Karla Ramos  56:28

I would say. I mean, I, I have to work to pay off my bills. And I'm stressed every single day. And it's like, if I don't work this day, it's like, okay, well, how am I going to pay my bill? If I miss one day of work, it's like, alright, that's like, a couple of bucks out of my paycheck and I need them. So, I don't know. Yeah, I feel like just being somewhere more vibrant and more. Yeah, for sure.

 

Asta Kyiv  56:56

Do you feel like there are certain parts of your culture identity you have to admit- omit- to like fit in and Virginia?

 

Karla Ramos  57:04

Mm-mm (indicating no)

 

Asta Kyiv  57:06

So it's more like, your- your issue is more like with the people around you. Unless- like- your self expression?

 

Karla Ramos  57:18

No, no, I feel like it's also. I don't... No? Because I love the people around me. Love the people around me always.

 

Asta Kyiv  57:36

I mean, but I'm just talking about like, and abroad like strangers.

 

Karla Ramos  57:40

Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  57:41

There's not as much warmth.

 

Karla Ramos  57:44

Not as much. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  57:50

How do you feel about the way that politicians and Americans in general talk about immigration?

 

Karla Ramos  57:57

Sad. It's very sad. Especially with the new elections and everything coming up. It's, it's rough to hear what they have to say. With everything, of with this immigration and the border and everything like that. It's rough. And it's just really rough. With everything.

 

Asta Kyiv  58:36

What do you want people to know about Latinos?

 

Karla Ramos  58:39

We are no harm. We just want to live. We want a better life for our families at home. Um, no, but I, no, no, I just feel like, we all have a dream. And, you know, some Hispanics just want to come to the US to have that American dream. And, hey, I see no bad in it.

 

Asta Kyiv  59:13

They're human.

 

Karla Ramos  59:14

We're all human. We are all human. And we all want to do things that we want to do. I have nothing... I don't see that wrong. It's like if you want to go travel to another country and stay there, and they don't like it. What? Why are you like this towards me? I feel like accepting also and loving, just giving warmth to people that are just here as well. From any culture, not just Latinos. Anyone, I feel like should be a welcoming thing. Politics and government and just don't like that. Like, okay. It's interesting. It's an interesting journey to see, especially within these paths.last eight years.

 

Asta Kyiv  1:00:02

Yeah.

 

Karla Ramos  1:00:03

Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  1:00:04

A lot of ups and downs.

 

Karla Ramos  1:00:05

It has been a lot of ups and downs and also behind the curtain type of things.

 

Asta Kyiv  1:00:09

Yeah. What about- what do you want people to take away from this interview specifically like about your life story so far?

 

Karla Ramos  1:00:34

Everyone has a different story. Everyone has a different story and also have a different history on different cultures. And in my culture. In my two different cultures, I was one connected with more and then the other one I really in- being accepted, even if you aren't fully embraced into the culture. Or... if you aren't really... what am I trying to say? Yeah, more like educated into the culture or anything like that also being, hopefully being welcomed. Yeah. Learn different cultures, understand.

 

Asta Kyiv  1:01:31

Get connected with your culture.

 

Karla Ramos  1:01:32

Get connected, even if it's not your culture, learn the culture. There's different cultures. There's Colombian culture. There's Hispanic- Salvadorian, Nicaraguan literally different ones. There is a lot and you would think that Hispanics are just Spanish speakers. No. There's a lot of people in Guatemala and Honduras that have their different language that is in Spanish, and it's it's amazing to see that too. Yeah.

 

Asta Kyiv  1:02:02

Is there anything else that we haven't talked about that you wanted to talk about today?

 

Karla Ramos  1:02:11

No. (laughs)

 

Asta Kyiv  1:02:14

And that's, that's it. That's all the questions I have for you. Thank you so much, Karla.